Rolling Stones show celebrates 50 years

LONDON

Updated 10:56 pm, Sunday, November 25, 2012

Mick Jagger sings as the Rolling Stones play their first 50th anniversary concert at London's O2 arena, with help from bandmates Ronnie Wood (left), Keith Richards and Charlie Watts.

Mick Jagger sings as the Rolling Stones play their first 50th anniversary concert at London's O2 arena, with help from bandmates Ronnie Wood (left), Keith Richards and Charlie Watts.

Photo: Joel Ryan, Associated Press

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LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: (STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones perform live at 02 Arena on November 25, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) less

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: (STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones perform live at 02 Arena on November 25, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian ... more

Photo: Ian Gavan, Getty Images

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LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: (STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones perform live at 02 Arena on November 25, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: (STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones perform live at 02 Arena on November 25, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

Photo: Ian Gavan, Getty Images

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LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: (STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones performs live at 02 Arena on November 25, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: (STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones performs live at 02 Arena on November 25, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

Photo: Ian Gavan, Getty Images

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LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: (STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones perform live at 02 Arena on November 25, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: (STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones perform live at 02 Arena on November 25, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

Photo: Ian Gavan, Getty Images

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LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: (STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Charlie Watts and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones perform live at 02 Arena on November 25, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) less

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: (STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Charlie Watts and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones perform live at 02 Arena on November 25, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty ... more

Photo: Ian Gavan, Getty Images

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LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: (STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones perform live at 02 Arena on November 25, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: (STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones perform live at 02 Arena on November 25, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

Photo: Ian Gavan, Getty Images

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LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: (STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Charlie Watts, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones perform live at 02 Arena on November 25, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) less

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: (STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Charlie Watts, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones perform live at 02 Arena on November 25, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian ... more

Photo: Ian Gavan, Getty Images

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Rolling Stones show celebrates 50 years

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London --

The Rolling Stones made a triumphant return to the London stage on Sunday night in the first of five concerts to mark the 50th anniversary of their debut.

They showed no signs of wear and tear - except on their aging, heavily lined faces - as front man Mick Jagger swaggered and strutted through a stellar 2 1/2-hour show. He looked remarkably trim and fit and was in top vocal form.

The Stones passed the half-century mark in style at the sometimes emotional gig that saw former bassist Bill Wyman and guitar master Mick Taylor join their old mates in front of a packed crowd at London's 02 Arena.

Lead guitarist Keith Richards, whose survival has surprised many who thought he would succumb to drugs and drink, was blunter: "We made it," he said. "I'm happy to see you. I'm happy to see anybody."

But the band's fiery music was no joke, fueled by an incandescent guest appearance by Taylor, who played lead guitar on a stunning extended version of the ominous "Midnight Rambler," and Mary J. Blige, who shook the house in a duet with Jagger on "Gimme Shelter."

The 50th anniversary show, which will be followed by one more in London, then three in the greater New York area, lacked some of the band's customary bravado - the "world's greatest rock 'n' roll band" intro was shelved - and there were some rare nostalgic touches.

Even the famously taciturn Wyman briefly cracked a smile when trading quips with Richards and Ronnie Wood.

The Stones began their professional career imitating the Americans whose music they cherished, but they quickly developed their own style, spawning hundreds - make that thousands - of imitators who have tried in vain to match their swagger and style.

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